A/n Well, here's my longest chapter yet. Thanks to KamaraKitsuia for reviewing and to Snowfeather5 for reviewing and betaing. If that's a word. I hope you like this chapter!!
Chapter 2
I had just finished eating, "So, Breezepaw, why are you always so grumpy?" I was curious about his negative attitude now that he knew the reason for my prickliness.
He swallowed his last bite, "I don't know really, it's kinda just my nature I guess. But most of the time Crowfeather is the cause of it."
I was instantly curious, "Why? He's your father, isn't he?"
Breezepaw moved to a more comfortable position, "Well, yeah. But the thing is, I believe he mated with Nightcloud to get suspicious looks off of him. Then they had me and I just don't think he likes me."
I was confused. "What do you mean 'to get suspicious looks off of him'?"
Breezepaw shifted nervously. "Well, on the Great Journey he and Feathertail loved each other. But then she died saving the Tribe. Then later, he fell in love with Leafpool and they ran away, for a brief period of time."
"Leafpool?" I asked incredulously.
"Yes, I have no idea how it happened. But they eventually turned back because they couldn't stand being apart from their Clans."
"Well, that explains the tension I feel whenever Crowfeather and Leafpool meet!" My mind whirled.
Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw padded in side by side. I could tell that each had a few pieces of fresh-kill by the mingled scents of rabbit, squirrel and mouse. They settled down to eat. Tawnypelt and Crowfeather came back from different directions a few moments later.
Breezepaw snickered, "That was funny. Both of them did a double-take and then stared at us for a few seconds." I let out a mrrow of amusement with him, grateful he didn't mention that I couldn't see it.
We compared life in our clans while sharing tongues, "...and Onestar calls those meetings from the biggest boulder in our camp, called Tallrock."
I smelt Hollypaw and Lionpaw coming, but I ignored them. "Firestar uses a ledge in front of his den, called Highledge. Our kits will listen in on those meetings." I heard Hollypaw let out a small gasp as she caught sight of us. "Normally, the warriors are really bossy especially Berrynose." I went on to explain about how he got mad at me for scaring away one piece of prey.
Breezepaw gasped in surprise. "How rude!" he hissed. "I mean how can you talk to a medicine cat like that? And a blind apprentice at that!"
I felt my neck fur bristling but then let it lie flat. He was only trying to help. I reminded myself.
Deciding to change the subject I meowed, "Ya, and our elders are really grumpy too."
Breezepaw chuckled in agreement as Lionpaw and Hollypaw ate, with their eyes on us. I added as an afterthought, "Though Longtail isn't too bad. He would still be a warrior if a rabbit hadn't scratched his eyes. He doesn't complain nearly as much as Mousefur. Hey, why don't we join Hollypaw and Lionpaw?" I said, feeling their gazes burning into my pelt.
"Sure."
Both of us stood up and stretched before making our way over to my littermates.
"Breezepaw!"
I spun around at the familiar voice.
"Quit dawdling and do something useful. If we're going to be camping out here all night than we'll need bedding. Go collect some."
I could feel Breezepaw's neck fur rising in anger as he stalked away. I don't care how much you like someone, you just don't talk to someone like that. Especially your own son!
Pelt bristling; I made my way over to Crowfeather, following his scent. "What is your problem?" I hissed angrily.
I heard my parents growling at my disrespectfulness but I didn't care.
"How can you just treat your own son like that you mouse-brained furball?" I spat at him. "Oh, let me guess. Since your first and second loves were from other clans and didn't work out, you just mated with Nightcloud to ease suspicion right? You were trying to look like a loyal member. But then she had your son and you realized how many other she-cats you wished he came from right? And since he hadn't had any sense at all before he came, you thought he was worthless?"
"Jaypaw! You do not talk to a warrior like that." Squirrelflight meowed angrily. But I could tell by her tone that she slightly agreed with me.
"I'm not talking to a warrior. I'm talking to a cowardly kit who takes out his anger on his SON." I was shouting by now, "AND DOESN' T EVEN PRAISE HIM!"
I could hear Crowfeather growling in annoyance and I was enjoying every minute of it.
"Better watch what you say or I'll claw your ears off."
That time I didn't have to say anything, as it was Brambleclaw who spoke. "Crowfeather, no matter how you treat your son, you're not going to talk to mine like that. Now this conversation is over!"
With that the brown tom stalked away back to his mate, and I could hear Crowfeather fleeing into the forest.
Serves him right! I thought happily, returning to sit by my littermates.
It was silent for a long moment before Hollypaw finally spoke up. "Wow. I've never seen you so defensive before!"
I just shrugged. "Ya well, that stupid mouse-brain had it coming."
"Wait, you lost me," Lionpaw started. I rolled my blind eyes at his stupidity. "First you and Breezepaw were eating together, now you yell at his father for something. And what was that about first and second loves being in different clans?"
"We decided to be friends. If you were paying attention, you would know what I was yelling about. Remember that Crowfeather loved Feathertail? She was from RiverClan. He also fell in love with Leafpool and the two ran away for a short time."
"Oh," Lionpaw sounded thoughtful.
"Ooooh, Lionpaw's thinking," I flicked his ear.
He growled, "Shut up."
Hollypaw giggled, "Well, you are very rash sometimes!"
He rolled his eyes and ignored her.
Breezepaw came back with some moss. I trotted over to help him. I felt him look up, "So, what were you yelling about that caused my father to come tearing out of camp?"
I shrugged, "I told him he no right to treat you that way."
Breezepaw gasped, "And he didn't claw your ears off? Thanks." He added as an afterthought.
Lionpaw and Hollypaw came over to help and soon all of us were joking around about many things. After we had settled down, I looked up at where Silverpelt is, though I can't see it. I wondered whether I would ever be able to do this at home. Even the warriors were respecting me, especially after that jump I did today. I put my head on my paws. Maybe I will dream about Cinderpaw tonight...
A/n Please review. How else am I supposed to improve?
